Vandy 2ce vs. 2ci

The 2Ci does not go quite as low as the Ce, the bass difference is subtle as are the other changes. The Sig is reported to be a much improved speaker using the tweeter from the old 3a( the 3a Sig uses the same tweeter as the 5)and upgraded Xover. There is a cut off serial# for upgrading 2Ce's to Signatures. It was listed on their web site. Mine are too old to have it done or I would have by now. People I trust say to go with the Signature if you can. I have listened to the 3a Signature and is where I think I will go in the future.

The 2ce has a different tweeter than the 2ci in most models. There was a time when Vandersteen put the 2ci 3/4" tweeter in the earlier 2ce. Then he went to the improved 1" tweeter. The 2ce has a little better bass than the 2ci and with the 1" tweeter, a little more clarity. The 2ce Signature is a good bit better than both of these. It usually sells used around $1000.
I would stay away from the 2ci myself. I also would have to call into question using these as rock speakers depending on how loud you intend to play them. They are fairly inefficient and take a lot of power to get loud. They also run out of volume quicker than some speakers(especially in the bass). They are extremely refined, require a lot of attention to set-up, and have a window you MUST be in when listening. They have great transparency and image focus in this window and are extremely natural sounding. Not your typical rock speakers.
If I was going solely rock at loud levels, I personally would look elsewhere. They will "Rock" just not at most peoples idea of a rock approved level.

Bigtee-
What would you recomend then for "rock" speakers in the under $1000.00 range new or used? What about PSB's? or some of the newer speakers on Stereophiles under $1,000 list? The Athena towers were raved about but I can't hear one first so I'm a little nervous.

They are great for all sorts of music, and I play lots of rock and blues too. They are quite natural and accurate which works for everything."Rock" speakers are a breed unto their own and I would stay away myself. I don't know anything about the PSB. Vandersteens are easy to sell if you don't like them. Everyone knows what they are. It's not like selling some mystery item.

I agree with Maxgain's assessment of the Vandersteens' ability to play all kinds of music and about how easy they are to sell. I've also not encountered a situation where Vandersteens could not play more than loud enough (but I don't play music at unambiguously dangerous levels any more either, having been rendered temporarily deaf by arena concerts and the music in many smaller venues).

All speakers have a "sweet spot", a restricted area where they perform optimally. Properly set up (and I've not found that Vandersteen 1's and 2Ce's, at least, are not especially problematic in that regard), the 2Ce's do sound quite nice over a broad area.